Spira Bandersnatch

An incredibly rare oddity on the material plane, the Spira bandersnatch is a descendant of the powerful creatures that walk the fey realms. Their existence has gone unknown by most, though well-traveled monster hunters know they're more than a myth. While they're not powerful to the same degree of their ancestors, Spira bandersnatches are ruthless hunters who mainly prey on other fey creatures.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Spira Bandersnatches are four-legged creatures that resemble a cross between a spotted hyena and a rattlesnake. They have slender, but toned bodies with long necks and a flexible skeletal structure. Their snouts are generally long as well, either ending with a canine nose or reptilian nostrils. Some bandersnatches may appear more reptilian than others, with scales instead of fur, and bodies that are much more akin to that of a snake. The majority of bandersnatches are shaped like a wild dog, with spots or stripes decorating their fur.
They sport a mane of darker fur that covers their upper bodies and travels the length of their backs, ending at the base of their long, scaly tails. Their paws are tipped with sharp claws that easily tear through flesh. Bandersnatches are capable of "unhinging" their jaws like a snake, their mouths being full of dagger-like teeth that are, strangely, not venomous. When a bandersnatch reaches physical maturity, they sprout a random amount of quills along their backs.
These quills are a defense mechanism, which they can launch with their tails to impale their targets. These quills grow back relatively quickly, but never in the same place as before. Regrowth is a painful, uncomfortable process for the bandersnatch. They easily shake it off if it's a few quills, but anything more than four tends to distress them. An uncommon feature among them is a small set of horns on their head, which tend to grow after direct exposure to destructive forms of magic when they're puppies.
Their tongues are forked as well. Spira bandersnatches are much smaller than their ancestors. At their full size, they're no bigger than a tiger.

Ecology and Habitats

Bandersnatches prefer to live far away from civilization, either high up in the mountains or tucked away in massive forests. Areas with a high presence of fey attract the attention of nearby bandersnatches, which can cause a violent clash between those who seek out these areas as their hunting grounds.

Behaviour

They are ruthless, bloodthirsty hunters. If anything escapes their clutches, they track it down relentlessly until they can sink their teeth into it. Bandersnatches have a habit of playing with their prey, especially when that prey is powerful and intelligent. They're territorial and when two bandersnatches cross paths, their meetings often turn violent. Solitary creatures by nature, they only come together to mate once every fifty or so years. Female bandersnatch who fall pregnant leave their mates as soon as possible and give birth to a single pup.
These pups stay by their mothers side for an entire year, learning how the survive. After a year, a bandersnatch has reached physical maturity and strays from their mother. A bandersnatch never forgets its mother and if possible, will visit her or her territory every few years.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Bandersnatches can see in the dark well and have a very strong sense of smell, especially when it comes to blood. Their sight is heightened compared to a non-magical creature, all of these senses allowing them to hunt with ease. They're frighteningly fast and are able to outrun most things. The Spira Bandersnatch is immune to poison and appears to be fearless.

by Frankie V (generated by OpenAI)

Mature Bandersnatch

by Frankie V (generated by OpenAI)

Bandersnatch Puppy at Six Weeks Old

Scientific Name

Magical Beast - Fey

Lifespan

750 to 900 years

by Frankie V (generated by OpenAI)

Young Bandersnatch at Eight Months Old

by Frankie V (generated by OpenAI)